Almost all Americans have detectable levels of the cancer causing chemical BPA in their bodies.

Perhaps influenced by the recent ban in Canada or the several states and municipalities* that regulate the chemical additive bisphenol A, also known as BPA, the California state Assembly recently approved a bill to ban BPA in feeding products for children under three years of age. This positive and progressive step is in response to growing evidence that BPA exposure in infants may lead to problems with brain development, early puberty, breast cancer and prostate cancer. Research also suggests that BPA can interfere with metabolism of young children, increasing the risk of obesity, heart disease and diabetes. With the growing rates of obesity and diabetes in today’s younger generation and obesity in the general population growing into a public-health problem, it appears that is would be prudent to refrain from using products with the plastic additive bisphenol A.

More widely known as BPA, the chemical additive bisphenol A is used to create a resin for lining cans, which helps preserve the food and keep it from acquiring a metallic taste, as well making plastic bottles more durable and resilient. U.S. manufacturers produce more than 6 billion pounds annually.

While many uses pose no risk to consumers, some scientists have worried about the health effects of ingesting low doses of the chemical, over a long period of time. Research by the Environmental Working Group in 2007 found BPA in 57 percent of the 97 cans they tested, with the highest levels in canned soup, pastas and infant formula. The California bill , which was recently passed by the State Assembly, would ban the chemical by January 2012 in feeding products designed for children aged 3 and under, such as sippy cups, bottles and baby food jars. It also bans BPA in all infant formula starting July 2012.

Almost all Americans have detectable levels of BPA. In 2004, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found it in 93 percent of 2,500 subjects, with children showing the highest levels. In 1996, the FDA wrote that adults on average consume 11 micrograms of BPA daily, while infants consume 7 micrograms per day.

The chemical has also been detected in amniotic fluid, breast milk and umbilical cord blood, said Urvashi Rangan, director of technical policy for Consumers Union, which publishes "Consumer Reports."

"It"s a bit perplexing, frankly, that we haven"t taken action on this substance," Rangan said. "We don"t think consumers should have to be continually eating this stuff while everybody sorts out the exact level of safety or harm.

Though the recent passage of the bill in the California state Assembly is a step in the right direction, the opposition to regulate the chemical additive from various business associations proves yet again how businesses and corporations undermine the public good and try to defeat legislation under the fear that any new regulations would cost jobs and force some manufacturers to shut down. Highlighting yet again how representatives from both political parties will favor business interests over the individual, the recent California bill in a predominantly liberal state was still opposed by several democrats and a majority of republicans.

Although the bill still has to be sent back to the California state Senate for reconciliation and final approval by the governor, the initial passing of the bill in the State Assembly is a positive step forward for the health and well being of children in California.

* States regulating the use of BPA include- Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Vermont, Wisconsin, Washington and the municipality of Chicago